Judiciary failed to hold govt liable: SCBA president

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Bar Association president Dushyant Dave on Saturday said the judiciary has squandered a chance of winning back the public respect by failing to hold the government accountable for its “failures” in tackling the difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“[The] pandemic really gave judiciary a chance to win over the hearts of the people by taking proactive steps in the time of crisis, and earn back the respect it once commanded… The judiciary intervenes through public interest litigation in all kinds of matters but when it came to the crunch, it failed,” Dave said in his speech titled ‘Role of Judiciary in Pandemic’ at a webinar organsied by All India Lawyers Union.

Dave was referring to the SC’s handling of petitions relating to difficulties migrant workers and other citizens have faced during the lockdown imposed in late March to check the spread of virus. He said the courts “failed to protect the rights of citizens during the crisis and remained silent as citizens suffered”.

HE WAS REFERRING TO SC’S HANDLING OF PETITIONS RELATING TO DIFFICULTIES MIGRANTS AND OTHER CITIZENS HAVE FACED DURING THE LOCKDOWN IMPOSED IN LATE MARCH TO CHECK SPREAD OF COVID-19